Looking back last Tuesday, I realised we had had number of significant events:

Friday 7th was the Women's World Day of Prayer and I joined the prayers at the Lutheran church in Venice where about 15 of us formed the Venice link of that wonderful chain of prayer around the world for peace, and thanksgiving for Women's part in our community Life.

On Sunday morning we had the Gospel from St. John c. 11 about the raising of Lazarus. Such a moving picture of Jesus'compassion for his friends - by extension, for all of us. By chance we had been for the first time to La Fenice that week, and I found I was reading the story as if it was an opera, which came out in the sermon. Does anyone out there know of an Opera or an oratorio on this story?

In the afternoon at our Council meeting we were planning ahead for the arrival of our Curate next Summer. Exciting prospect! More about him another time (see the Padova page)

On Monday at the regular meeting of the Venice Ecumenical Council of Churches, the turn came round of the Anglican Church to take the chair for a year. It's very surprising what you find God wanting you to do! I hope I can serve them well, and Him.

Then on Tuesday 11th I saw the 3rd Couple in 4 days for a Wedding Planning meeting. Such lovely people I get to meet in this job. The services we hold for them will technically be Blessings Dedication of a Civil Marriage, but they are just as solemn and just as joyful and very like Church Weddings. And one is to be in Trieste, a first there for many years.